Contributed by: JesseJesse(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on September 7th 2004I'm actually surprised that no one has reviewed any of The Velvet Underground's records. I decided to start with my favorite.
From the slow, melodic opener "Candy Says," to the acoustic pop-ditty "After Hours," this album delivers nothing but pure hits. On this record, The Velvet Underground de.

I'm actually surprised that no one has reviewed any of The Velvet Underground's records. I decided to start with my favorite.

From the slow, melodic opener "Candy Says," to the acoustic pop-ditty "After Hours," this album delivers nothing but pure hits. On this record, The Velvet Underground departed from their earlier more experimental sound and adopted a slower, simpler style. While it doesn't encompass the pop spirit that Loaded does, there are definitely traces of the band's progression apparent in the rockers "What Goes On," and "I'm Beginning to See the Light."

Not only do the song structures vary, but so does the percussion. While keeping in touch with the minimal percussion used on The Velvet Underground and Nico (mostly just a bass drum on its side, a tambourine, and a snare drum) on tracks like "Some Kinda Love" with its clip-clop beat, this album also has the appearance of a full set.

This album relies heavily on repetition, like other Velvet Underground records, but generally overlying is a very melodic guitar solo/riff. The result is something that's generally bluesy/rock 'n roll while being one at the roots of the indie/punk scene.

With songs about drugs, transsexuals, love, sex, and rock and/or roll, The Velvet Underground encompassed the true spirit of rock 'n roll while influencing so many other groups during this time period. This album is a classic. Go buy it before people discover that you don't own it and beat you.

I can understand how someone can be disappointed with this album, as it sees the Velvets begin to make more accessible and radio friendly tunes (i.e. Pale Blue Eyes and After Hours) but this was my first Velvets album so I'm biased. Plus the recording quality is awesome; I can definitely see how this album inspired some of the Lo-Fi bands of the 90's.

the velvet underground are great, but this is by far their worst record. I'd say the first album is the best, followed closely by White Light/White Heat, then Loaded. Live at Max's Kansas City is cool but really sounds almost like another band with the change in the rhythm section. Okay, I'll admit that this album is better than the 1969 live discs and the 1993 live reunion discs. talk about a band name influencing ratings... everyone of you needs to re-play this album. it's not that good

Anonymous (September 14, 2004)

brilliant band. black angel death song of VU and Nico is one of my all time favorites

Anonymous (September 14, 2004)

brilliant band. black angel death song of VU and Nico is one of my all time favorites

Anonymous (September 13, 2004)

overrated pretentious bullshit. i'm off to listen to minus the bear...real music.

I'm sure Minus the Bear would be embarrassed to hear someone say that.

This is a great great album. There are no bad VU albums. As for the Lou Reed material, go with Transformer for the radio stuff, Blue Mask and Legendary Hearts for some great work with Robert Quine, and Berlin and New York to round it out.

Anonymous (September 13, 2004)

pale blue eyes is one of the best love songs of all time(even though the girl reed wrote about actually had hazel eyes but he said blue worked better in the song)

No. Get Transformer and New York. Those are the only two Lou Reed albums you need.

But getting the VU records in order is a good idea, despite the fact that this one is better than WL/WH. Or get the Peel Slowly & See box set. It rules so hard. I had VU&N and then just splurged on the box set to save time and money. Best decision I ever made.

"The Murder Mystery is one of the coolest fucking songs ever written."

Couldn't agree more. This is their best record. Anyone who disagrees is just hatin'. Loaded is actually my least favorite. Weird? Most folks I know don't really like the first because of Nico but I think she's terrific, putting VU&N at number 2 followed by WL/WH and Loaded at a close fourth. Now you know how you should rank the Velvet Underground.

White Light/White Heat is most definitly their best. I love everything about it, from the fuzzy sound to the epic scale of Sister Ray

Anonymous (September 11, 2004)

I like Vu & Nico better than White Light/White Heat, this is the onl official studio release of theirs I haven't heard in full but would like to.I'll just give it a 10 assuming the songs I know off of it are as good as the whole thing.

Anonymous (September 11, 2004)

this is soooo boring. this does not get 10 stars.

-nfg182rawker

Anonymous (September 11, 2004)

did anyone think this would get any less than 5 stars when they saw it in the new reviews list?

On another side note - Minus The Bear? That band wouldn't exist without The Velvet Underground.

Anonymous (September 10, 2004)

The Murder Mystery is one of the coolest fucking songs ever written. and the Velvet Underground can never be overrated, they were completely different from their contemporaries and Lou Reed is the fucking man.